Reviews

Very comfortable boot. Fits like a glove. Great traction…

Very comfortable boot. Fits like a glove. Great traction and very water resistant. Highly recommended.

Pros

Comfortable

Rugged

Great traction

Great support

Cons

Price

I live on the Southwest coast of Oregon between the PCT and the Oregon Coast Trail. I spend most of my time in the Siskiyous and Kalmiopsis Wilderness areas. I have gone through countless boots in search of the Holy Grail of hiking boots. From cheap to expensive. Trail runners to full out heavy hikers. These are the best boots I've ever owned.

I have to say though that when I first wore them, I was about to return them. My left foot was terribly uncomfortable and there seemed to be a few bad pressure points. I went for a hike though, and within the first mile they settled in. They fit like a glove and provide a lot more ankle support than I thought they would. I'm glad I didn't return them!

I am not one of those hikers than weighs things in grams and drills holes in my cut off titanium spork. I carry real gear. Ultra light hiking to me is ridiculous and should be called walking and not hiking. So all you ultra lighters may not like the weight of these because they don't float away when you unlace them. But they didn't tire me out on a 1 day 35 mile hike in the Siskiyous with a 40 pound load.

Traction was great even on wet rock. And you can't feel the rough rock on your feet. Tough soles. No boot is waterproof. No matter what they say. But these are very water resistant. They don't dry too quickly though. But not a problem to me.

I would recommend these to anybody intetested in a tough and extremely comfortable hiking boot.

I got this boot because my nubuck/leather trail work boots are on the out, as are my backup pair of "comfy"/sturdy hikers. I wanted a boot for the days I have more hiking and less trail work.

Sizing:

I've loved and been a devotee of the Women's Salomon XA Pro GTX trail runners as hikers and runners. So I thought I'd give these a try. Remembering that this brand tends to run larger, I ordered an 8. When I first bought Salomon's I bought a 9. Huge! I sometimes take an 8.5 in the XA Pro 3D, but I'm debating sizing down to an 8 in that as well.

The 8's in these, compared to the 9's in my other hiking boots, fits great. I didn't put my thin Downunders (amazing) insole in for the first hike. However, the heel cup was deep enough to fit this insole in, and I hiked in blissful comfort most of my hikes.

Comfort:

Hiking in the White Mountains of N.H. is a lot of up and down on rocks. I'd say my forefoot did fatigue in these boots by the end of the day, but who's wouldn't? I wore gaiters half the time, but when I didn't, I did not get much debris in the boots.

I liked the grip and tension you could put on the laces. There were no pressure spots on my ankle bones or nerves (some boots are horrible in these areas).

Construction:

The toe bumper started peeling on the inside before I even got two weeks of wear into the boot. I haven't shoe-gooed them yet, but I may contact the company.

Traction-wise, I felt comfortable walking down and up slick rocks to loose cobble. I hiked all types of conditions in these boots so far, and the traction handled it all.

If you are in a bog for an hour, they may take 4 days to dry out... like most boots. But after a typical day of use, they dry overnight if inserted with newspaper/swap out newspaper often enough, and put somewhere that isn't super damp.

Purchased a pair from a local outdoor dealer in Kent, Ohio. Tried on a half dozen brands and models. The Salomon Quest 4D GTX fit wonderfully right out the box. Have worn them for a year now. Nice ankle support, quick lace and looks.

The fit of the Quest is very comfortable. It has a wide toe box to accommodate a lot of expansion throughout the day, but is slim throughout the foot and heel to keep your foot in place. Their lacing system really locks the foot in for minimal movement. The ankle support is very nice, and though the boot is quite high it does not feel restrictive in any way.

It's comfortable right out of the box, with lots of cushion. The midsole is quite stiff without being heavy, giving lots of support underfoot. A great choice for long day hikes and light backpacking. My personal use has ranged from 10km lowland hikes with no elevation change (I could have gone with a lighter or less supportive option here but the Quest was still comfortable), day hikes including summits, ridge walks, and scrambling, and multi-day backpacking trips. I don't think the boot would be suitable if the user's pack was very heavy, given that the sole does still have some give in it and the boot itself is quite light, but for most consumers it covers a wide range of potential uses.

Completely waterproof up to the bottom of the ankle. Throw on some gaiters for crossing streams and you'll be super-dry! Not super breathable, of course, given the Gore in it, but not too bad. Throw on some Merino hiking socks and you'll be right as rain all day.

Kudos to Salomon for their ContaGrip. I've used Vibram, of course and there is no comparison. Contagrip kept me safe on sheer slanted wet rock. I was extremely impressed.

The only issue that I have is not an issue with my boots, but my boyfriend's pair have started to wear significantly where the upper meets the midsole after two years of use. Mine have shown no such wear, so it could be the fact that his feet are much wider than mine and creating some pressure from the inside of the boot. I've talked to many people with the Quests and nobody else has had this issue, but it's something to consider if you have very wide feet.

Salomons in general do fit quite large. Most people go down a half size in the Quests, and up to a full size in other models, such as the X Ultra. If you've never tried the Quests or something similar, such as the Comets, on, consider ordering a half size smaller than you normally take.

Overall, a great boot choice for most consumers. It'll keep you comfortable and safe on day hikes and multi-day trips.

BONUS: Salomon uses a women's-specific mold for their lady line. This means that we get extra room for our feet to expand during the day, because ours expand more than mens' do.

Hey Goose, thanks! He's probably got about 200km (125 miles) on them. This is all day hikes, with no more than 20lb on his back, and he's not a large guy, probably about 165lb. All the hikes have been on mountainous terrain, seeing dirt, roots, snow, ice, shale, and plenty of scree. Like I said, I've only had mine for one year, but have more than 100km on them through the same conditions and have seen no such wear.

Right out of the box without a break-in period, these…

Right out of the box without a break-in period, these boots have been awesome. Lightweight, yet can stand up to a heavier pack and still be comfortable and supportive. Allows my feet to breathe, yet keeps water out.

Pros

Comfortable

Good sole

Good support

Waterproof

Cons

None yet

I usually carry a 40lb pack (I'm no ultralight backpacker), and right out of the box without a break-in period, these boots have made each of my hikes in the Sierra Nevadas that much more enjoyable.

They fit my foot perfectly (normal arch) and have good room in the toe box and "lock" my heel in. I've walked through nearly ankle deep water, wet grasses, mud, and have not had one bit of water in my boot. Lightweight, yet can stand up to a heavier pack and still be comfortable and supportive. The traction of the soles has been great on loose gravel and wet rock.

I've had them for two years now and they are still going strong.

vote up

0

vote down

Fits well. Very, very comfortable. Bought for day…

Rating:Source: bought it new Price Paid: $196 with REI 20% off members coupon

Summary

Fits well. Very, very comfortable. Bought for day hiking when carrying a light pack (Osprey Stratos 36) with 20 lbs or so. Good traction. Very good closure with good lacing system (keeps the stones out). Will be trying it later on multi-day backpacks carrying a Deuter 70 + 15-live near bear country, so must carry a bear box-garcia).

Pros

Good fit

Stays laced

Very good ankle support

Cons

Cost an arm and one leg

Have worn it only on day hikes so far. That is what I bought them for (to replace a 10-year-old pair of Salomon dayhikers that wore out). Looking forward to a long and enjoyable time with them.

The fit was very good (I wear Men's 11 medium and they fit like a glove).

Very, very comfortable.

Good support, although I have fitted them with orthotics as I am a serious pronator.

No chance yet to check water resistance in the field (live in Southern California which this year is more desert-like than usual). Have washed them off to remove dirt and grime and noticed no water inside.

Have climbed several very steep and dusty hills and always felt like I had a good grip on the slope.

Have not used them under cold weather conditions but they appear to breathe well.

Only tall boot I could find to really give me good ankle support. A twisted ankle on mountain trails is no fun.

Quality, waterproof hiking boot with short break-in…

Quality, waterproof hiking boot with short break-in period. Unique Salomon locking lace system. Best for backpacking and those needing a boot with a wider toe box.

Pros

Short break-in period

Wider toe box

Great locking lace system

Cons

Need break in for traction on wet surfaces

I have about 150 miles with these boots and they still feel great, no irritation or loss of comfort/durability. This is waterproof boot and as with most, breathability can be an issue. I feel these are on the more breathable side than others I have worn. As mentioned in the cons, I needed some time to have better traction on wet surfaces, mainly rocks, but now the shoes grip fine.

The design includes a wider toe box which is tough to find in other boots. Once tightened my heel and ankle feel supported and comfortable resting in the boot, no toe issues. I am wearing a 1/2 size up from my normal everyday shoe to avoid having any black toe problems. For me it's a perfect fit, not too much wiggle within the boot, but not overly tight.

The Salomon lace locking system can help you if you want a loose bottom but tighter at the top of the boot. I prefer a little looser at the bottom (locks in the middle) then tighter to support my ankle and bring my heel/ankle to the back of the boot.

I haven't had any problem with debris entering the boot while wearing my merino wool socks and while walking over rocky terrain, it feels fantastic. I don't use any type of insert, the one included is fine for me.

I tried on these in the store, but purchased online. No issues.

Overall, if these happen to wear out after several hundred more miles, I'll definitely be back to buy another pair.

EDIT: Included close up shot of unique Salomon locking mechanism on boot. Great feature!

vote up

0

vote down

Great pair of boots, very comfortable. I have owned…

I have owned these boots for two years. They have been worn on numerous weekends, training hikes, and a week long backpacking trip. These boots are lightweight and comfortable. Had very little break in time prior to my first weekend trip and not a single hot spot. The boots have plenty support for up to 45 lb pack load, which I was a little concerned about when I purchased the boots, due to their light weight.

The only thing that I could knock are the soles. Traction is good, but they seem to be wearing fairly quick. Would love to see them with Vibram soles.

Great all round boot, used almost daily. Bought these…

Bought these boots about 18 months ago, and while I am by no means a serious hiker, I do Snowdon several times a year and camp often.

I use my boots for almost all tasks, literally — I sometimes ride mototrcycles in them (in all weathers due to the wonderful climate we have in the UK), at work on a building site (no one has yet questioned wheather they are steel toe caps or not) and while running around a boggy site they keep my fet dry, camped in all weathers, and used them for casual wear in the evening with a pair of jeams and a shirt to go out in. I wear walking boots a lot due to their comfort, waterproofness, and 'smarter than trainers' look.

I will happily buy another pair of these boots. Having gone through most of the popular brands in walking boots, this is one brand I now look for when perusing the shelves. These boots have kept me dry, warm and comfortable in all temperatures and wetness and would not hesitate to recommend them to anyone.

vote up

0

vote down

Great right out of the box. Let's start out by saying…

Let's start out by saying I have hiked in Salomon boots for 10 years plus because they are one of the few companies that have a wide toe box. They are comfortable boots and have been extremely consistent in design over the years.

This year was the first time I have noticed a major design change in the boots and was very concerned I would have to go on a search for a new boot. This boot still incorporates many of the solid proven design features that have made these boots a great hiking boot with as hard as I found it to believe improve on a great boot for hiking.

This model is extremely comfortable right out of the box, little break-in time, and has been great on short 5 to 6 mile hikes without any issues at all. Have used in training sessions for search and rescue in some less then favorable conditions for people to be walking in. The real test will be on a the new section of the IAT in Newfoundland where some of the trail is still just on the map not yet finished.

Some of the things that make this boot real nice is the lace lock which adds to the comfortable fit. The toe guard is already paying off as in the past I have had to retire boots because the toe has been destroyed. These little things make the investment a little better and make this a good all round hiker.

Update on this boot: So after a week in the back country of Newfoundland the boot far exceeded my expectations for comfort, support and durability. The claim of being waterproof held up as some of the terrain was wet and marshy, kept my feet dry. The breathabilty of the boot kept my feet comfortable, the ankle support was great! This is an overall great boot well worth the money spent.

vote up

0

vote down

Good fit, comfortable right out of the box. I bought…

I bought a pair of these last year and did a few local hikes with them. I replaced the insoles with my custom orthotics, but other than that used my regular setup of double layered socks with a sock liner.

Perfect right out of the box. Very light, and quite comfortable.I figured I'd found the Holy Grail — a perfect hiking boot!

At the beginning of June I wore them on an overnight camping trip. It was drizzling when I left, but it was supposed to clear up. Sat around in the rain until dusk, then it began to snow! My feet were warm, so I went for a short walk, them went to bed. I noticed at the time that my feet were a bit damp, but I didn't worry about it.

I woke up the next morning to an inch or two of snow. I put on dry socks but checked the inside of the boots and discovered they were damp! Did a nice hike anyway after breaking camp, and by the end my feet were soggy again!

I headed straight back to Mountain Equipment Co-op. Like REI it has a 100% guarantee, and I complained the my cool new boots weren't actually waterproof! Their return policy is TOO liberal — they took them back without question and refunded my money.

I figured out later that when the fabric on the outside of the boot gets wet, it forms an airtight barrier that doesn't let the Gore-tex breathe. The moisture was sweat, not leakage. I guess I didn't really give the boots a fair chance.

I went and bought another pair of boots (leather Salomons) but also bought a second pair of Quest 4D in the trunk of my car while breaking them in, just in case the new ones didn't work out. When they turned out to be okay, I returned the Quest 4Ds to the store. However, if I have to grab a new pair, I will be looking at them again.

Comment: I have yet to meet someone who was unhappy with their Quest 4D boots. Women especially like them because of the light weight.

vote up

0

vote down

recently returned from hiking to phantom ranch in…

recently returned from hiking to phantom ranch in the grand canyon. purchased boots 1/2 size larger as suggested due to the downward slope of the canyon .very comfortable and supportive and zero hot spots. i also purchased superfeet for insoles as well.

I bought these boots for a trip to Kilimanjaro. So…

I bought these boots for a trip to Kilimanjaro. So I needed a very sturdy boot with good ankle support and water resistance. I have fairly wide feet, and prefer a roomy toe box.

I did some warm up hikes in Colorado the summer before, and summited Kilimanjaro on the 7 day Machame trek in January. I experienced very rugged and sometimes very wet conditions. These boots did a very nice job, and are still in battered but serviceable condition.

The boots kept the water out and kept my feet safe from any injury during my travels. The boots felt good right out of the box, and I never had any problems with blisters or any other problems.

The footbeds were not that great (normal) so I replaced them with a new set of green Superfeet. As a single criticism, the tread could be a bit 'grippier,' which caused a problem from time to time. However I am still very satisfied with my boots.

After the trek was over, one of the guides actually asked for my boots. And he was very persistent! So they still look good, even after all of the rain and abuse.

Great boots so far. One season in, 10 days in the…

Great boots so far. One season in, 10 days in the Winds, 10 days in the Sawtooths, and every weekend in Montana and they are spotless. Solid boots. Broke in really fast.

This is my second pair of Salomon's and I've loved them both. Really, after owning other brands, if I get one good year out of 200 dollar boots I'm content. I can see getting at least another solid season out of these. Good boots are one of the few things in life that actually seem worth the money, even to a broke dude such as myself.

I have high arches and wide feet and none of the euro brands were worth a shit. I tried quite a few other brands before finding these (Scarpa, Kayland, Zamberlan, Asolo, New Balance, Vasque) and these were hands down the best fit for my weird feet.

Oh yeah, I wear Montrail moldable insoles in these dogs. With other boots, I found that the insole lifted my heel too high and created hot spots. Not so with these. Buy them from REI and if you think they suck you can return them. Sweeeeeeeeet!

Let me start by saying that my foot is a bit wider…

Rating:Materials: SyntheticsUse: Dayhikes and extended backcountryBreak-in Period: A couple hours of light walking/hikingWeight: The shoes felt light, less than 3 pounds for the pair in a 42.Price Paid: Pro-Deal

Let me start by saying that my foot is a bit wider than normal in the front, and tapers to a narrow heel. I don't have any arch issues. This shoe in a EU42 fit me very well. I would recommend people, if they have to order, to go off their European sizes, as it seems much more consistent.

I bought these boots for an upcoming trip to Tibet, and have worn them a few times to break them in. So this is an early review. A full review will be in order if I decide to come back from Tibet.

These boots were very comfortable right out of the box. I am very lean, at 130 pounds, and found these shoes to be very supportive and comfortable. The traction of the shoes are great. Uneven surfaces are not a problem thanks to the traction, and the solid ankle support this boot offers.

I have two minor issues with the boots however. Breathability from the Gore-Tex liner isn't as good as the Helly Tech XP liner. And if you are walking over a hard surface and there's a film of water between the boots and the hard surface, get ready to slip. I have noticed that this is a common issue with a lot of Salomon's footwear. And again, my Helly Hansen shoes and boots seem to do a better job of not sliding out on me when crossing a stream bed of smooth stones.

Oh, and I guess the useless carbon fiber just above the midsoles are kinda annoying. But I guess they need something as a feature to sell to Dentists who wear them around the city on the weekends.

vote up

0

vote down

A good solid day hiker usable for short multi-day…

A good solid day hiker usable for short multi-day trips. Completely waterproof due to gore-tex lining, relatively breathable and cool despite this. Deep lugs on Salomon's proprietary outsole material provide good traction on most surfaces, slippery on wet wood but all outsoles are. Cut is a bit high, but dips in the back to accommodate the achilles heel. Good ankle support.

Overall volume is low to medium, those with a high instep and high volume foot will not enjoy this. A deep medium to narrow heel-cup grips your foot well, and a wider toe-box accommodates toes well. Poor arch support - an aftermarket arch support insole is necessary for those with arch problems. In the end I should have gone up half a size, after a summer of heavy use they seem a little tighter than at first, especially when adding a thicker superfeet orange insole.

EVA midsole support is a little weak, Salmon should have used a polyurethane midsole instead for longevity and better support, especially under the forefoot which is thin. Especially at this price range - I consider this a significant flaw on an otherwise good piece of footwear.

Strongly recommend you spend at least 4-5 hours walking in these boots before taking them on a hike - some break-in is important, but these boots require very little break-in overall.

vote up

-1

vote down

After searching for a new waterproof boot for about…

After searching for a new waterproof boot for about 6months I finally settled on the Quest which I've been using for 2 months now. The boot has all of the features which I find important: a decent toe protector, mid-sole support, waterproof, relatively low weight, excellent sole with hard wearing rubber compound and good ankle support.

The last around which the boot is manufactured suits a narrow/medium width low volume foot which suits me perfectly. I've found that the boot requires virtually no break in period. I literally took them out of the box at the trail head and did a shortish but steep 5mile hike with a 33pound pack..not a single hotspot, no chafing anywhere. Subsequently I've done a number of short 2day backpacking trips of varying lengths from very steep, muddy, slippery routes off trail to regular trail hiking with no problems.

This is the best boot I've owned thus far and rate it highly. Check the fit of the boot as this is the most important aspect of any trekking shoe.